The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-17
housekeeping Time.

About this time of year look out for signs of
house-cleaning. The actual work of tearing up
and tearing down, moving furniture about
scrubbing and securing, does not begin yet
awhile. but the housekeeper is frequently seen
ooking about her rooms with critical air. and
is heard to complain of the dreadful conditenr-
they are in, although the casual observer can
detect speck nor flaw. Or her attention flags in
the midst of the most animated family CONVEX
sation, and she presently remarks thoughfully
on the urgent need of new sitting-room car
pet this spring the desrability Of havi ng
fresh paper on the walls. Closets and attics are
overhauled preparatory to general or slaught
on the premises and chamber floors are Uttered
with the contents of .spiece bags" and old
trunks. 1t is sure sign that
domestic upheaval is impending when
woman turns her bags and boxes Of remnants
and relics inside out, inspects them carefully to
no purpose that can be discovered rolls every
thing up again and lays them away. as before
After that, the broom, the mop, the whitewash
brush and the tack hammer will soon be seen in
active operation, and the woman of the house.
filled with the frenzy incident to the proper
carrying out of the semi-annual cfarin'up spell.
Never Is the average woman so full of zeal and
energy as on these occasions If she be one of
the favored ones, who needs only to superintend
the proceedings, her task is comparatively easy;
but, if she belong to the army of those who
must do the work with their own hands, or leave
it undone she is tolerably sure to exhaust
strength energies that should have served her
throughout the season. To such women as these
Catharine Owen offers some sensible advice.
Although we know" she says. sthat there
are many women who do work entirely alone it
is very hard indeed for ono woman to take down
hedsteads, and shake carpets, and move heavy
furniture, not to speak of taking down and NOV
ing stoves; yet have known women to do all
this and more, but to some it would be physic-
ally impossible, and many who do It ought not
TO DO 1t; they may suffer all the latter part of
their lives from abuses of the inexhaustible
ergy which leads them to overtax themselves
To women SO situated and so constituted
wonld give the advice which fear they will not,
perhaps cannot, follow. Cultivate wholesome
habit of negligence it is better the stove remain
up all summer, If heavy. than you should move
it; better dusty carpet for few months than
that you should lay up for yourself an early old
age. Not that Homework, scrubbing, cleaning,
even beyond what is looked upon as a woman's
limit is hurtful if not carried beyond your
strength. II you can trust yourself to
when you are really and heartily tired when
rest is refreshment. but too many women work
just to finish this that long after fatigue has set
in Their bodies may not feel much more tired
than they were an hour or TWO ear
lier, but instead of cheerful, phys
ical fatigue, when it is real comfort to
sit down and rest and laugh and talk perhaps.
or read something pleasant; instead of this good
feeling has come nervous fatigue. very differ
ent matter, the least word irrisates US, and when
We finally cease. it is lot to rest with cheerful
talk or reading and delicious sense of work
done and repose earned, but we sink down too
tired to rest. feeling worn out i'll, and ready to
cry rather than laugh. We may get over once.
such abuse as this. or two or three times. but by
degrees this nervous irritabilltv will become
not rare experience consequent on rare
fatigue. but will follow even very little exerton,
and the result will be, the shattered, pallid
woman faded and worn out long before life's
prime. Therefore. say if the work that seems
so necessary causes more than healthy fatigue.
let it CO. Keep the house broom clean;' do
just what must be done and reserve your nerves
for your husband and children; it is your duty.
If you do your own washing. since cleanliness is
neat to godliness. and it must be DONE use
every labor saving article within your reach;
iron only the necessary Use the wringer as a
mangle; when sheets. and towels. and undergar
ments are dry and smoothly folded, run them
through the wringer instead of ironing them:
they will be- just as wholesome, and your back
will be saved